Putnam Cycling Classic adds pro racers; tourism to benefit

May 3, 2013

Bruce Wells, left, of Scarsdale and Joe Markey of White Plains prepare for a bike ride to Bedford Tuesday at a municipal parking lot at Maple and Waller avenues in White Plains. Markey, organizer of the June 9 White Plains Downtown Criterium, knew about the May 5 Putnam Cycling Classic, but several of the cyclists who meet in downtown for afternoon rides were unfamiliar with the event. / Ernie Garcia/The Journal News

“I think it will be exciting to see some of these professional cyclists in our same group ride,” said Saddler, 38, a Cold Spring resident.

Excitement about the Putnam Cycling Classic is what tourism officials hope will deliver visitors and boost the economy. Participants include three-time professional world cyclocross champion Erwin Vervecken from Belgium and current double world champion Ann Marie Miller of New York City.

As of Thursday, about 280 people had paid the $85 registration, up about 40 percent from the 202 registrants at last year’s inaugural event. Still, that’s short of Putnam County Tourism’s goal of 500 and far below the estimated 800 people who signed up for the 2008 Tour de Putnam, which the classic replaced.

“Last year the majority of the registrants were from the local area. A lot of them are going to wait until the last moment,” said classic organizer John Eustice. “We hoped for 500, but if we get 300 that’s excellent progress.”

The classic – known as a gran fondo in cycling circles – is a timed event on a professional racecourse and open to cyclists of all abilities and ages. There is a 39-mile course and an 80-mile course. It’s not an actual race, but the top 25 percent of finishers timed in each age group will qualify for the UCI Masters Road World Championships this September in Italy.

By some measures the classic already has fulfilled some goals. Many of the registrants are from out-of-state or abroad, increasing the likelihood of area hotel stays in order to arrive in Cold Spring for the 10:30 a.m. start.

Local businesses also are collaborating. The Cold Spring Area Chamber of Commerce will host “Pedal into Spring,” a free festival Saturday and Sunday with events scheduled throughout both days and posted at www.pedalintospring.com.

“We’re optimistic at this point,” said Bill Nulk, president of the Putnam County Chambers of Commerce, whose umbrella group of six chambers is coordinating businesses’ efforts along the classic’s route. “It’s part of our whole economic development impetus.”

Private donations and sponsorships pay for the event, Putnam County Tourism director Libby Pataki said. Last year the classic had a $10,000 profit, and this year the event got a $50,000 sponsorship from Westchester’s Ridge Hill in Yonkers.

“We’re all about family events and promoting healthy activities,” said Kathy Welch, executive vice president for retail development at Forest City Ratner, the company that controls Ridge Hill. She said the sponsorship raises the shopping center’s profile in another county, noting, “You’re always trying to draw from different trade areas.”